Understand

This is a large district of the inner west of London.

The most well known part of the district is perhaps Shepherd's Bush which has long been a first home in London to second and first generation immigrants. While this is less true today than in the past, the area undergoing gradual gentrification, beautification and development, there is still a substantial expatriate population (including a great many travelling Antipodeans).

Culturally, Shepherd's Bush is well known as the home of the BBC with the Television Centre located on Wood Lane in the White City sub-district. The Bush was also the fictional home of Steptoe & Son at Oil Drum Lane. The members of two influential British bands, The Who and the Sex Pistols grew up in Shepherd's Bush.

Elsewhere in the district, the residential riverside areas of Fulham have been hugely gentrified in the past 20 years and it is now sometimes difficult to determine where (previously much grander) Chelsea ends and Fulham begins. Fulham is also home to the EPL football team Fulham FC.

Fulham Palace, Bishop's Avenue, SW6 6EA, ☎+ 44 20 7736 3233 (education@fulhampalace.org), [2]. Sa 11AM-2PM, Su 11.30AM-3.30PM, M&Tu noon-4PM. The former retreat of the Bishops of London now incorporates Bishop's Park and is a lovely green area in a heavily built part of London as well as home to some important historic buildings. Also a museum which charts the history of the palace back to the 11th century and a small cafe.Free.

Hurlingham Park, (tube: Putney Bridge). A large open park which is mainly sports pitches. It does though have some lovely frontage right onto the Thames and makes for an lovely walk for that reason.

Ravenscourt Park, Padderswick Rd (tube: Ravencourt Park), [3]. An eight hectare park in Hammersmith with a long history. It is home to a lake, tea house, tennis courts, an all-weather football pitch, a bowling green, areas in which to just sit or play, a garden centre and some truly ancient trees, particularly cedars.

Do

Cinema, Theatre and concerts

Bush Theatre, Shepherd's Bush Green W12 (tube: Shepherd's Bush), ☎_44 20 8743 3584, [4]. Home of the Alternative Theatre Company and dedicated to breaking new plays and new writers.

02 Shepherd's Bush Empire, Shepherd's Bush Green W12 8TT (tube: Shepherd's Bush), ☎+44 20 8354 3300 (mail@o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk), [7]. Built in 1903 and at the centre of the entertainment scene ever since, the Empire is one of London's premier live music venues, with an emphasis on contemporary rock and pop.

Eat

There are loads of great restaurants in Fulham along the high streets and also a distinct lack of any chain restaurants (don't worry, you can find all of these along Putney High St if you're desperate). It is often a good idea to just start walking along any of the main roads and you should have more choice of places to eat than you will ever need.

Mid-range

The Blue Elephant, 3-6 Fulham Broadway (tube: Fulham Broadway), ☎+44 20 7385 6595 (london@blueelephant.com), [10]. noon-2:30PM, 6:30PM-11:30PM. Exuberant Thai restaurant decorated to look like a rainforest, including an indoor waterfall and pond with fish. Food is generally good without being exceptional. You pay for the atmosphere.Starters £8-10, main £12-20.

Fiesta Havana, 490-492 Fulham Rd SW6 5NH (tube: Fulham Broadway), ☎+44 20 7381 5005‎, [11]. Latin themed restaurant with live DJs and staff who will give you Salsa classes in between courses! The set Tapas menu for £10 is very popular.

Le Cinnamon, 158B Shepherd's Bush Rd W6 7PB (tube: Hammersmith), ☎+44 20 7602 8899‎, [13]. Odd name for an Indian restaurant but that's what it is and a very good one to boot. Contemporary takes on many classic Indian dishes.

Splurge

Drink

Shepherds Bush Green contains many large chain pubs. Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road have smaller, more laid-back bars and gastro-pubs. Fulham is full of highly rated, popular pubs some of them right by the Thames.

The White Horse, 1-3 Parson's Green SW6 4UL (tube: Parsons Green), ☎+44 20 7736 2115, [17]. Awarded best Pub of the years several times, it offers an extensive choice of local and imported beers, both draught and bottled. It also serves restaurant grade meals. Interesting particularity, each one of them is matched with a beer. Somewhat expensive, but it is a must.

Sleep

Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith are well known as the home of many discount hotels (some of low quality, unfortunately) and B&Bs. With the gradual gentrification of the area, more comfortable and expensive options are appearing.

Plaza Hotel, 53 Shepherds Bush Rd W6 7LU (tube: Goldhawk Road), ☎+44 20 7603 2667, [22]. Actually three hotels all run by the same company - The Plaza, The Rex and The Acropolis. All similar standard and nearby to each other.From about £40.

Splurge

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!